Power & Protection

Six rules for redskin running backs.
by: Bobby Jackson
Running Backs Coach,The Washington Redskins
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The Washington Redskin offense, under head coach Norv Turner, is a power running football team. There are two things we must do to be a power running team. One, we must be physical. We must finish blocks, and we must finish runs. As ball carriers, we must run behind our shoulder pads with great pad level. We call it downhill or north-south running. The second thing we must do is protect the football. We stress tucking the ball away with two fingers over the nose of the football and both arms over the football, when necessary.

There are six goals the running backs strive to accomplish each game:

1. Protect the football.

2. Protect the quarterback.

3. Be physical.

4. Run the football with second and third effort.

5. Run defined routes ­ catch the football.

6. Score touchdowns ­ win the game.

Following are some drills we work on to help us become a power running team and also to help us accomplish our goals.

Rip Out Drill

Backs are paired up at midfield, facing the sideline. The runners have a football tucked away in their right hands and arm pits, with, at least, over the nose of the football. The rippers haver their left hands on the left hips of the runners, and their hands are trying to rip or punch the football out (see Photo 1). On the command of go, they run half speed to the sideline with the rippers trying to get the football out.

At the sideline, they turn and face midfield with the runner tucking the football away in the left arm, and the ripper changes over to the left side (see Photo 2). On the command of go, they run back to midfield with the rippers trying to rip the football out with their left hands. At midfield, they switch positions and repeat the same drill to the side line and back. We do this drill two-to-three times a week in training camp and once a week in regular season.

Ball Exchange Drill

Backs are in two lines facing each other 10-yards apart (see Photo 3). The man handing off is standing still, like a quarterback. The back taking the handoff has his right elbow up and his right thumb down with the left hand open, making a shelf at the waist. The key is thumb down as it raises the elbow up (thumb up makes for a lazy pocket and elbow down ­ see Photo 4).

Ball carriers run fast, but stop as soon as they receive the football, so they can hand off to the man they are meeting. The would-be receiver waits for the ball carrier to stop before he runs to receive the ball. After two or three exchancges, change and pass left shoulders. This is elementary, but we do this drill two-to-three times a week in training camp and once a week during the regular season.

Gauntlet Drill

In this drill, we combine the ball exchange and rip out drills at the same time. The backs in the gauntlet are aligned facing each other 1-yard apart (see Photo 5). The coach and the runner run a play. The runner splits the gauntlet with the football tucked away, explodes through it, and scores (see Photo 6). The men in the gauntlet try to rip the football out as the runner explodes through. As the quarterback, the coach can check the pocket and make sure the football is secure. As soon as the runner goes, one of the two backs in the front line of the gauntlet hops over and becomes the next man to go.

The runner, after he scores, gets in the back of the gauntlet. With pads on, this drill can be done with the men in the gauntlet holding dummies. As the runner explodes through the gauntlet, the dummy holders jam him in the shoulders with the dummies. This drill helps with pad level, finishing the run, as well as protecting the ball. This drill is done two-to-three times a week in training camp and once a week in regular season.

Sideline Drill

The coach or quarterback tosses the football to the back, and the back turns upfield and explodes into each dummy. The dummy holders are 3 yards away from the sideline and 1 yard behind the 5-yard stripes. The dummy holders need to step up and out to the 5-yard stripes and explode into the ball carrier, trying to knock him out of bounds.

The ball carrier attacks the tackler, so he actually turns in toward the dummy holder and explodes into him with the inside shoulder pad, with his legs driving. He comes off the first dummy holder and attacks the second dummy holder the same way, keepeing the football in the his outside arm.

After he attacks the second dummy holder, he comes off him and scores. After everyone goes, turn the drill around and come back the other direction using the other shoulder. Make sure the football is tucked away at all times.

Occasionally, the ball carrier puts the ball in his inside arm and does the drill while attacking the dummy with the football in the inside arm. The only time to run out of bounds is a two-minute situation. This drill is done twice a week in training camp and once a week in regular season. This is a physical drill that teaches good pad level and finish.

Pad Level Drill

The coach and the ball carrier simulate a play, and the ball carrier runs and attacks the first dummy holder (located on the line of scrimmage) with knees bent and legs driving. The head is up, but the shoulder pads are low. The ball carrier explodes into the dummy with the right shoulder pad and forearm, driving the dummy holder back. He comes off the first dummy holder and attacks the second dummy holder, located across the field 10-yards deeper, with the left shoulder pad and forearm.

Sometimes the drill is done with the ball carrier switching the football to the other arm between the dummy holders. After attacking the second dummy holder, the ball carrier comes off and scores with a burst. After everyone goes, the drill is done in the opposite direction with the football in the other arm. The runner can also use a spin-off after attacking the dummies. Make sure the ball carriers sink the pads and drive the legs before they spin. This drill is done in the spring and early training camp. This is a pad-level, run-finishing drill.

Cone Drill

This a read drill for the ball carrier. This drill teaches a quick cut, north-south cut and a burst by the ball carrier. The ball carrier runs directly at the coach who is located in front of the CHUTE. When the ball carrier comes full speed and is 3-4 yards away, the coach moves quickly left or right. The ball carrier makes the opposite cut and plants his outside foot and bursts between the cones, north and south.

After many repetitions of this drill, the ball carrier can run full speed and make his cut without chopping his feet. The key is to have his shoulders out over his knees while running. The ball carrier makes his cut and explodes downhill through the cones and scores. After everyone goes, we turn the drill around and come back the other direction with the football in the other arm. This drill is done once a week in training camp and sometimes during the season.

These drills can help your runners to be more physical. And remember, ball security equals job security!

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